Make Page Six a Preferred Source Meghan Markle canceled a speech about child safety after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested on a child pornography charge.
The Duchess of Sussex was set to deliver a keynote speech at the Lost Screen Memorial, an exhibition to honor children who have died as a result of online harm, at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday.
“She’s just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now,” an insider told the Telegraph on Monday.
However, Meghan, 45, is still set to appear with her husband, Prince Harry, 42, at the event, and the latter is still scheduled to deliver his speech.
The source claimed the hope was for the Duke of Sussex’s words to be understood in the context of Thomas Sr.’s arrest.
The “Suits” alum and Harry will walk through the art installation before the latter’s panel discussion.
The memorial features 50 phones with lock screens of children who have passed away as a result of harmful side effects of social media.
A rep for the couple wasn’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.
Thomas Sr. was arrested on Friday following an investigation in the Philippines last month, where he faced allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material.
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Thomas Sr. was detained at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, after authorities searched his storage units on Oct. 30 and Nov. 4.
He appeared in court shortly after his arrest and was sent back to the care facility.
When the allegations against Meghan surfaced, she told Page Six via a statement that she was “deeply disturbed,” explaining that the claims led to their estrangement.
Meghan shared she learned about the allegations against her father in 2018, when she initially received a letter from London’s Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection
“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine,” Meghan hopes that “justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children,” the statement read.
Thomas Sr. has maintained his innocence, previously denying the allegations against him.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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